The dog-loving Queen resisted taking home a rescue puppy as she visited Battersea Dogs and Cats Home this afternoon to officially open a new sensory garden. Camilla, 77, who is a patron of the charity, was greeted by a guard of honour of rescue dogs as she arrived at the charity’s London centre in Nine Elms, and she was particularly taken by puppy Dipsy.
The Jack Russell cross, the same breed as the dogs she adopted from Battersea in 2011 and 2012, appeared to enjoy the fuss the Queen made of her. Tickling her under the chin, the Queen smiled and said: “I’d have taken him.”
Camilla, wearing a bright blue dress matching the charity’s logo and a dog brooch, visited Battersea to unveil the permanent RHS and BBC Radio 2 ‘Dog Garden’, designed by gardener and broadcaster Monty Don. The Queen first saw the garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May, which has been designed to provide a calming and stimulating environment that supports the wellbeing of dogs while they wait to be rehomed.
Monty Don, who attended the event, said: “It’s so important to give dogs a space where they can be free to run around and smell and sniff things as they prepare for their new lives ahead.”
Following her tour of the garden, the Queen attended a reception with Battersea staff, volunteers, and ambassadors.
Among them was broadcaster and actress Amanda Holden, who has been an ambassador for the charity for 11 years. She has a Battersea rescue dog, Mini, along with another dog and a cat.
Holden shared a light-hearted moment about Mini’s bond with her husband, Chris.
“Mini rolls over onto her back for a belly rub every time she sees him,” she said. “My husband just looked at her and said, ‘Why can’t you be more like that?’”
The Queen has adopted three rescue dogs from Battersea herself, including new addition Moley, who she brought home in February following the death of her beloved dog Beth, adopted in 2011, in November last year.
Her companion Bluebell, adopted in 2012, remains part of the royal household and was seen with the Queen during the French state visit at Windsor in July.
The Queen said she couldn’t bring her dog Moley with on Monday because it was too hot.
Founded in 1860, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has rehomed more than three million animals. The Queen’s visit highlights her enduring commitment to the charity and to animal welfare more broadly.